Pikeville women drop opener to WVU Tech

PIKEVILLE – The University of Pikeville women’s basketball team dropped its season-opener on Saturday afternoon at the Expo Center as visiting WVU Tech pulled away to win 76-56.

A combination of early foul trouble and an off performance shooting the ball conspired against UPIKE in a game which was tied midway through the second half before WVU Tech pulled away.

The Bears managed to sink only 26 percent of their shots, well below WVU Tech’s mark of 46 percent. On top of that, the visiting team outrebounded the Bears 56-37, with senior Courtney Sturdivant leading all players with 15 boards.

Her fellow WVU Tech senior Amy Gardner led all scorers with 21, closely followed by teammate Roche Wimberly’s 20.

Freshmen Kayla Day and Peyton Wright, along with the recently-transferred junior Callisha Johnson, each had nine points to co-lead UPIKE scorers in their respective debuts. Wright also added eight boards, while Day had seven rebounds and three assists for the Bears.

The Bears will visit Virginia Intermont College on Wednesday. Tipoff for the UPIKE-VIC women’s basketball game is set for 5:30.